China's largest manufacturer of implants and related surgical instruments for traumatology and spine surgery, Weigao Orthopaedic Device, is offering a spinal stabilisation system called “Tulip”, which uses semi-rigid rods made from Peek-Optima to bridge the gap between rigid and dynamic systems. The system is indicated when one to three levels of the spine, including the lumbosacral region, require posterior pedicle-screw fixation or when fusion surgery is required for a segment of the spine where degenerative disc disease is present.
Weigao chose to work with Invibio based on the company’s track record in Peek solutions. "Throughout the product development and clinical adoption of our semi-rigid rods Invibio was a great help to our company. This includes technical support and testing during the R&D phase," stated Mr. Kui Yang from Weigao Orthopaedic Device. "Invibio invited, for example, overseas clinical experts to China to exchange experience in Peek-Optima-based semi-rigid-rod techniques. In addition multi-centre programme discussions assisted in launching the product and promoting its clinical adoption. We appreciate the value of our relationship with Invibio, and we hope to continue our collaboration."
Two types of the domestic manufactured rods are available: a 6.35mm-diameter round rod, and a 6.35x7.2mm-diameter oval rod. Following previous CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) approval of other Peek-Optima-based products, the Tulip system received its approval in 2014 and targets China's Tier-One market for spinal devices as well as Class-Two and Class-Three (top level) hospitals nationally.
